Latching structure



March 27, 17934. w. L. Fox

LATCHING STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 7, 1953 ...w Fb

William L. Fox

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Patented Mar. 27,Y 1934 UNITED STATES 1,952,989 LATCHING STRUCTUREWilliam L. Fox, Baltimore, Md., assigner to Palau,-

' Katz & Company, Baltimore, Md.,`arirm Application December '1, 1933,seal No. 701,387

. 4 claims. V(o1. 19a-46) This invention relates to a latching structuredesigned primarily for use in connection with umbrellas for detachablyconnecting the handle and staff thereof together, but it is to beunder-` stood that a latching structure in accordance with thisinvention may be employed in anyconnection for which it may be foundapplicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manneras hereinafter set forth, a latching structure arranged relative to anumbrella handle and sta for expeditiously connecting and disconnectingthem when occasion requires and when disconnected from each otherpermittingr of thev sta and cover of the umbrella beingV stored in aspace of less limited length than would be the case if the handle waspermanently connected to the staff.

A further object of the invention isto provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a latching structure for the purpose referred towhich when in latching position relative to an umbrella handle and staffwill prevent the turning and arrest the pulling away from one relativeto the other, as well as further preventing the accidental separation ofthe handle and staff.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a latching structure for the purpose referred to,which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable,compact, thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently operated, readilyinstalled with respect tothe handle and staff of an umbrella, andinexpensive to manufacture.

To the 'above ends essentially, and to others y which may hereinafterappear, the invention consists of such parts, and such combination ofparts which fall within thescope of the invention as claimed. Y

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation and partly in section of anumbrella showing the adaptation therewith of the latching structure inlatching position.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary Viewin vertical-section of an umbrella handleand staff illustrating the adaptation therewith of the latchingstructure in non-latched position. Y

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the latching element.

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the combined guide and keeper elementfor the latching element.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the combined guide andkeeper element looking towards the bottom of the latter.

In the drawing, 1 generally indicates the staff of an umbrella 2.Thestalf 1 comprises a wooden body 3 encased by a metallic tube 4 whichis iianged atits inner. end, as at 5. The body 3v extends beyond theflanged end of tube 4 and is formed with a lengthwise extending axiallyarranged cylindrical socket 6 opening at the inner end 7 thereof. Thesaid inner end 7 is peripherally rabbeted, as at 8. 'Encompassing andseated against rabbet 8 is an axially apertured metallic cap member'lfThe aperture in the latter is designated 10 and has vits edgeregistering with the wall of socket 6. The cap member 9 reinforces therabbeted inner fend 7 of the body `3. The umbrella cover and ribs aredesignatedll, l2 respectively. The handle of the umbrella is indicatedat 13 and includes a shank portion 14 which, when the staff 1 andAhandle v13 are latched together, overlaps the cap member 9. The shankportion 14 .has an axially arranged lengthwise extending socket l5opening at the free end 16 thereof. The wall ofV socket 15 is upon twodif'- ferentdiameters and at the junction of said diameters a shoulder17 is formed.V That portion of the wallof socket 15 which is of largestdiameter extends from shoulder 17 to the said end 16.

The latching structure includes a tubular latching element 18, a tubularcombined guide and keeper element 19 for the latching element 18 and anexpelling means 20 for element 18.v The means 20 also functions tomaintainthe element 18 in latching engagement with respect to element19. The element 18 has spaced peripheral cavities 2l and a radiallydisposed latchingpin or stud 22 intermediate its Vends extendingoutwardly therefrom.Vv The element 18 is of'greater length than thesocket l5 and has a portion of its length positioned in the latter. 4Theelement 18 projectsbeyond the Vfree end 16 of the shank portion and isalsoencompassed by the wall portion 23 of the portionof largest diameterof socket 15. The wall portion 23, shoulder 17 and element 18 provide asocket 24 for a purpose to bereferred to. The pin or vstud 22 isarranged in permanent spaced relation to and outwardly of the edgerofthe free end 16 of the shank portion 14. .That part of the element 18which is arranged in that portion of smallest diameter of the socket 15is anchored to the shank portion 15 by a cementitious material 25interposed between the wall portion 26 of socket'l and element 18. Thecementitious material also extends into the peripheral cavities 21 andassists in xedly anchoring handle 13y and element 18 together.

Y The keeper element 19 is of greater length than socket 6 and has aportion thereof secured in the f ico socket 6 and its remaining portionprojecting beyond the end 7 of body 3. The periphery of element 19 isformed with a series of annular spaced grooves 27 at its inner endportion. From a point spaced from the outer end of element 19 to theouter groove 27, the periphery of element 19 is knurled as at 28. Theperiphery of element 19 from the outer end of the knurled portion to theouter end of said element, as indicated at 29, is plane. The peripheryof element 19 between grooves 27and below the inner groove 27 is knurledas at 30. The element 19 in that por-V tion thereof having a plane outerperiphery is formed with a slot 31 disposed lengthwise there# of. Theslot 31 includes a spiral stretch 32 opening at one end at the edge 33of element. 19. The slot 31 also includes an L-,shaped stretch formed ofa horizontal leg 34 and a leg 35 disposed lengthwise of element 19. 'Ihestretch 32,has its outer end merge into one end of the leg 34. The leg35 is disposed at right angles to leg 34 and extends in a directiontooppose a part of stretch 32, the .latter being of greater length thanthat of legs 34,35. The other end of leg 34 merges into the open end ofleg 35. The stretch 32 provides for the rotating of element 18 when .thelatter is being latched to element 19 and which willbe presentlyreferred to.

Theexpelling means 20 includes an abutment 36 in theform of va plug,preferably of cork, an-

` sionY spring 37 seated on abutment 36 and arrangedin the path of theouter end of element 18. Theputer diameter of the latter with respect tothe inner diameter of element l9`is such as to permitof element 1'8freely moving in element 19 during thelatching andunlatching operation.

That p'art ofv element 19V withinthe socket 5 is anchored to 'body .2 bycementitious material 38 Whichis interposed between the knurled periphieral portions of `element 19 and the Wall of socket 5; .Thematerial 38'also enters into the grooves 27.and'assists ,in'xedly anchoring staif 1and element.19 together.

. When vthe handle is unlatched from the, staif, thelparts will appearas shown in Figure 2. It Willbe assumed that the handle and staff are tobe. connected together. Y.The element 18 is inserted into element 19 ina manner soy pin or stud 22. willenter stretch 32 of slot 31 and thefree end of element .18 bear against spring 37, the latter. being .in anexpanded condition. At this point,1when elementlS is moved further intoelement 19, the spring 37 iscompressed and the pin -201will coactwiththe walls of stretch 32.to cause vthe handle to automaticallyrotateand bodily carry pinZUin a direction to enter leg 34 and passthrough the latter to the open end ofr leg 35. At this point, the handleis relieved of pressure, then spring 37 will automatically expand, forcepin 20 into' leg 35 thereby completing. the latching oper- `ationandwill maintain the pin 20 in latching position. ...The'jlatchingstructure willthen appear as in Figure 1 and function to latch thehandle, and staff together. When unlatching, an inward 'movement isapplied to the handle until pin 20 lis arrested by4 leg 34; then aslightV counterclockwise turn Vis given the handle; at this point spring37 willthen act to force the element 18 from-elementv 19YV therebydetaching the handle from the staff. When the handle and staff areconnected together the outer end portion ofy ele'-y ment 19 and member 9extend into the pocket 24.

What I claim is:-

l. A latching structure for detachably connecting the handle and staffof an umbrella together, a latching element adapted to be anchored toand extend from said handle and provided with a laterally extending pinadjacent the latter, a tubular combined guide and keeper element for thereception of the latching element and adapted to be anchored to andextend from said staff, said combined guide and keeper element beingprovidedy with a slot having a stretch of spiral form opening at one endat the free end of the keeper element and an L-shaped stretch formed ofa horizontal leg and a longitudinal leg disposed lengthwise of thekeeper element, opposing a part 'of the `spiral stretch and having aclosed end and an open end, said spiral stretch opening at one end intoone end of the horizontal stretch, said horizontal leg opening at its'other 'end into the open end of the longitudinal leg, said stretch andhorizontal leg for the passage of said pin vto the said other leg, saidstretchcoacting with the pin for rotating the latching element duringvthe travel of the pinto the longitudinal leg, and an expelling meansarranged within the combined guide anclkeeper'element andbearingagainst'the latching element for holding said pinwithinand against theclosed-end of the longitudinal leg.

2. The combination with a handle having a shank portion formed'with asocket opening at one end thereof, and a staff provided withfa socketopening at one end thereof, of a latching element anchored in thesocketof and extended from said handle, said element being formed on itsextended portion with `a laterally disposed pin, a tubular 'keeperelement anchored in -the socket of, extended from the staff and 'for thereception'of the extended portion of said latching element, said keeper'element 'being formed `with 'a slot opening at one end ofthe edge of theextended portion thereof and'provided witha spiral stretch and anL-shaped-stretch, the-latter consisting of "a horizontal leg and a legat'ri'ght angles'tothe latter, opposing inspacedrelation a part of the'yspiral "stretch and having; oneend thereof closed, said horizontal 'legopening into the other end'of said spiral-*stretch and at'its other endinto the other end of the saidother leg, saidpinfand vslot coacting forlatching "said elements together whenthe latching element is extendedinto the keeperelement, andl av resilient expelling means for thehandle,`m'ounte`d in the keeper element for' bearing against thelatching element to maintain said pin in said L- shaped stretch toreleasably hold said elements in latching engagement.

V3. The combination with'a Vhandle=having `a shank portion formed'with"a"socket openingat one end thereof, and a staff providedwithaisocket opening at one'en'd'thereofyof a latching-'element anchoredin the: socket of and extended from said handle, said element beingformed o'n its extended portion witha 'laterally disposedfpin, a tubularkeeper element 'anchored -inv the f socket of, extended from the staffand for the reception 0f the extended portion-'of "saidl'latchingelement,

said keeper element providedv with means coacting with said pin forlatching said elements together and for rotating `the handle'inadirection -tobe 'latched to the staff; and a resilient'expellingstructain said pin in said means to releasably hold said elements inlatching engagement.

4. The combination with a' handle having a shank portion formed with asocket opening at one end thereof, and a staff provided with a socketopening at one end thereof, of a latching element anchored in the socketof and extended from said handle, said element being formed on itsextended portion with a laterally disposed pin, a tubular keeper elementanchored in the socket of, extended from the stai and for the receptionof the extended portion of said latching element, said keeper elementprovided with means coacting with said pin for latching said elementstogether and for rotating the handle in a direction to be latched to thestaff, a resilient expelling structure for the handle mounted inthekeeper elementfor bearing against the latching element to maintain saidpin in said means to releasably

